Cableway for hoisting and conveying.



in. 723,574. I PATFQNITED A -19, 1903.

- B. H; HARDAWAY.

GABLEWAY FOR HOISTING AND CONVEYING,

APPLICATION FILED D30. 5, 1902. I

3 SHBETS- SHBET 1.

H0 IODEL.

WITNESSfS:

ATTORNEYS,

I PA'TENTBD MAY 123 ,1903;

. .,B. H. HARDAWAY. v GABLEWAY FOR HOISTING AND OONVEYING.

APPLICATION FILED Q30. 5, 1902.

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} V SPATENTEDMAY 19,1903. B. H. HARDAWAY. GABLEWAY PORSHOISTING AND CONVEYING;

APPLICATION I'IIQED D110. 5, 1902. i

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7 U NITED, STATES latented May 19, 1903.

PATENT ()FFIcE,

CABLEWAY FOR HOISTI NG AND 'CONVEYING..

LIEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 728,574, dated May 19, 1903. Application filed December 5, 1902. Serial No. 133,972. (No model.)

T0 ttZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN HURT HARD- AWAY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Columbus, inthe county of'Muscogee and State of Georgia,have invented new and useful Improvements in Oableways for.

Hoisting and Conveying, otwhich the follow ing is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention-relates .to improvements in cableways for hoisting and conveying loads of material, the same being directed to apparatus of that class wherein a carriage is adapted to travel on a main suspension-cable and is associated with a fall or tackle block, a fallline, and an endless haul-rope. The difficulty in the common style cableways of this character is to take up the slack in the fallline by means which will not interfere with the free travel of the carriage along the main cable. It is customaryin the ordinarycableway system to use a series of fall-line carriers and a button-line, along which line the carriers are automatically spread or collected on the traversing movement of the carriage. In the present invention I have provided improved means which obviates the traversing movement of the fall-line carriers with the carriage by fixedly attaching said carriers to the equivalent of the button-lineand by pro;

viding an improved construction and arrange ment of devices wherein the carriers are opened and closed on the approach and passage of the carriage with the fall-line.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the subjoined description, and the novelty will be defined in the annexed claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forminga part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a general view of a cableway for hoisting and conveying equipped with improvements which are constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an en larged side elevation of the carriage and one of the fall-line'carriers,the latter being partly broken away and in section. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation through one of the fall-line carriers and the saddle which supports the same, also showing the series of cables and the construction of the carriage.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2 of the carriage removed from the apparatus. Fig. 5 is anenlarged detail section through a part of the carriage; and Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of one of the clamps adapted to be gripped firmly on the buttonrope or its equivalent and employed to partly support the saddle, from which is suspended the members ofa fall-line carrie In order that others skilled in the art may understand the invention, I have illustrated the cable system generally by Fig. 1, in which A B indicate the towers stationed a suitable distance apart and adapted to support the main cable 0, on which is arranged to travel the carriage D. This carriage is equipped with the fall or tackle block adapted to be suspended and adjusted bya fall-line F,and to the end portions of this carriage D are connected the end portions of a traversing cable or line G. The fall-line is fastened at one end to a hook e on the fall or tackle block, from whence the line passes over one, e, of a pair of fall-sheaves 'e' 6 After. passing over the sheave e the fall-line passes under the block-sheave e and thence over. the carriage-sheave 6 said fall-line extending to and being operated by a drum h, which is driven by an; engine or other power appliance. The traversing line Gis an endless cable arranged to pass over suitable sheaves 0n thevtowers A B, and this traversing line is coiled on another drum, h, which is also adapted to be driven by an engine or other motor.

- I The carriage D consists of sides at d, united by transverse stays d in a way to present a substantial structure; but the side d is somewhat shorter than the side d to leave a space or throat 5, as shown'more clearly by Fig. 3. The side at of the carriage is stayed by suitable braces 6, as shown by Fig. 2, and in the lower part of this carriage are journaled the fall-sheaves 6 e In addition to the sheaves e for the fall-line the carriage is provided with the carrying-wheels 7, which are suitably journaled in the middle. po rtion;thereof and between the sides (1 d, and these wheels are arranged to ride on the main cable 0 in a way to support the carriage thereon and allow it to travel back and forth, as may be de: sired. In addition to the carrying-wheels and the fall-line sheaves the carriage is equipped at its upper part with a pair of wheels 8 8, which are journaled on axles fastened to the carriage and are adapted to ride on a cable H, which is the equivalent of the button-cable employed in the ordinary cableway for hoisting and conveying, said cable or line H extending between the towers A B above the main cable 0 and suitably attached to said towers, the cables C II being substantially parallel to each other. The line or cable H supports a series of fall-line carriers I, which are adapted to support the intermediate portions of the fall-line F in order to take up any sag therein; but these fall-line carriers are not capable of a traversing movement with respect to the button-line and the main cable, as in other systems of cableways with which I am familiar. The fall-line carriers I are spaced at suitable predetermined intervals along the cable H and the main cable O-say at intervals of onehundred feet,more orless,as practical experience may require-and these carriers are constructed in a novel way to open and close and permit the free movement of the carriage D along the cable 0, said carriers remaining normally in closed positions, so as to properly support the fall-line and a part of the endless traversing cable G. As a means for attaching the fall-line carriers to the button-line H, I employ a series of saddles, one of which is adapted to support each fall-line carrier, and one of these saddies with the carrier is shown in detail by Figs. 2 and 3. The saddle is indicated in its entirety at J, and it consists of the side portionsj and the top or bridge portion j; One side portionj of this saddle is fastened at its lower corners to the button-line H in a secure way by the clamps K, one of which is shown in detail by Fig. 6, and the positions of the clamps are indicated by Fig. 2. Each clamp has a body portion and spreaders k, which engage with the under side of the button-cable and are embedded therein respectively, as shown by Fig. 6, and the clamp is made secure on the cable by a series of yoke-shaped bolts 9, which straddle the cable between the spreaders k and compress the same with a view to holding the clamp immovably on said oable,,said bolts 9 being attached to the body of theclampin any suitable way. This clamp is furthermore provided with a depending lug 10, which is slotted or forked at 11 to receive an inwardly-projecting member or bar 12 on one side of the saddle, and this member is attached firmly to the slotted depending portion of the clamp by a transverse bolt 13, the latter serving to rigidly fasten the bar or member 12 to the clamp. It will be understood that one side of the saddle is provided at its corners with the bars or members 12, which are fastened solidly to the clamps K, the latter being in turn attached to the button-line, and this construction supports the saddle in a predetermined fixed position on said button-line. The bar or member 12 of each saddle is adapted to pass through the throat or space 5 of the carriage D as the latter moves back and forth on the main cable 0, and this construction permits the carriage D to move freely on said cable without hindrance from the saddles. Each saddleJ is arranged to overhang the button-line II, as shown by Fig. 3, and in the side portionsj of the saddle are mounted the fall-line carriers 1. Each carrier consists of two members i i, which are disposed alongside of each other and substantially parallel one to the other, said members being individually pivoted on the saddle and held normally in a closed position by the action of a suitable tension device. Each member 11 or t" of the carrier I is shown by Fig. 2 as being formed of a single piece or length of metal, which is bent to form the bowed upper portion 14 and the converging legs 15; but I do not limit myself to the detailed construction of the carrier member, because it may be made of separate pieces assembled and fastened firmly together. The bowed portion let of each carrier member is disposed within one side portionj of the saddle, and said bowed portion is provided with two series of apertures 16, through which are passed the pivotal or suspension pins or bolts 17, the latter being fastened to the end portions of the saddle. The legs 15 of each carrier member converge downwardly and inwardly toward each other in order that the lower portions of said legs may lie quite close together, and the leg of each carrier member is provided on its inner side with a face-plate 18, as shown by Fig. 3. This face-plate is fastened rigidly at its lower end to the extremity ofthe leg 15 so as to be parallel therewith, and the members it of the carrier are arranged for their face-plates 18 to normally engage one with the other, thus closing the lower end of the carrier. The members of said carrier support the sheaves 19 20, which are journaled on suitable bolts 21, that are held between the legs 15 and the faceplates 18, as shown by Figs. 2 and 3, and these sheaves are adapted to support the fallline F and the endless traversing cable G.

The upper bowed ends 14 of the carrier members i 1 are normally forced apart by a suitable tension device, which in Fig. 3 is shown in the form of a coiled spring 22, the latter being supported in the top part of the saddle J bya suitable bolt 23. The end portions of this spring 22 engage with the upper ends of the respective carrier members it, and as these carrier members are pivoted at 17 in the saddle it is evident that the lower ends of the members will be pressed together in a way to make the face-plates 18 engage one with the other, and thus close the lower end of the carrier for the purpose of supporting the fall-line and the traversing cable.

The carriage D is provided with means for automatically opening the members of the carrier as it approaches or passes through the same, this opening of the carrier permitting the fall-line F to readily pass through the carrier without hindrance from the sheaves 19 20 or the face-plates 18. The carriage D is provided on opposite sides with the parallel plates 24: 25, which have their end portionsinclined inwardly toward each other, as at 26. (See Fig. 4.) The inclined end portions of the plates 24 25 form wedges or cams at the ends of the carriage, and said inclined ends of the plates are stayed along with certain side. rails of the carriage by bolts 27, which are inclosed by sleeves or thimbles 28, (see Fig. 5,) whereby the bolts hold the sides and the plates of the carriage in firm relation.

The membersc't" of each carrierI are equipped with friction-rollers 29, which are suitably journaled between stay-plates 30, that are secured to the legs 15 of the carrier members, and these f riction-rollers lie in the path of the cam-shaped ends 26 and the plates 24 25 of the. carriage. As the carriage moves in one direction along the cable the cam-shaped surface at one end thereof engages Withthe rollers 29 and forces the members of the carway to close thelower end thereof and bring the face-plates 18 again in engagement, thus closing the carrier and bringing the sheaves 19 20 into positions for supporting the fallline and a part of the traversing cable. The

employment of the arched or bowed portions 14 of'the carrier members allows the carrier to be always placed in a vertical position if the cables or lines are not level.

It will be understood that the saddle J is fixed on the button-line and that the pins 17 'devices.

can be changed with reference to their position in the members of the carrier, so that by putting the pin on one side in a higher hole of the carrier member and the pin on the other side in a corresponding lower hole of the carrier member the bottom of the carrier can be thrown at will to either side of its normal position, which should be at right angles to the saddle. This, however, is not an essential detail of the construction, and under some circumstances it may be desirable to allow the carrier to hang at all times in a position at right angles to the saddle.

The operation of myimprovedcablewayin its general aspect is similar to that of prior The carriage may be given a traversing movement along the main cable by the operation of the traversing cable G, which is controlled by the drum h, while the fall-line F may be slackened or drawn taut by the drum h for the purpose of raising or lowering the tackle-block E and the load suspended therefrom, or this fall-line may be given a traversing movement simultaneously with that of the traversing cable G by the operation of the drums h it. As the carriage moves in either direction the cam-shaped surfaces onthe side plates thereof engage with the rollers 29 to automatically open the members of the carrier, and the bar 'or member 12 of the saddle is free to pass through the throat or space 5 of said carriage, thus permitting the carriage to pass the carrier and the saddle without hindrance; but after the carriage and the fall-line shall have passed beyond the carrier the latteris returned to its closed position by the action of the tension device in the form of the spring 22.

Instead of using the. pins or bolts 17 to individ ually pivot the sides of each carrier member z or t" in the saddle I may employ any equivalent device to pivotally support the carrier member.

Although I have shown and described a particular form of clamp by which the saddle may be fixed to the fall-carrier line or the button-line, it is to be understood that I reserve the right to use any equivalent of the clamp or any suitable means for attaching said saddle to the line.

Various changes in the form, proportion,

arrangement, and in the minor details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the arrangement of the endless haul-cable H with reference to the fall-line carriers and the tower and the sheaves and block of the fall can be changed as desired by the skilled constructor or to meet: the requirements of the work in hand.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a cableway, the combination with a carriage, and a carrier-line, of a saddle fixed on said carrier-line, and a two-part line-carrier having its members individually supported by said saddle on opposite sides of the carrier-line and in the path of the carriage, means on said carrier to support a fall-line,

and means for closing the members of said line-carrier.

2. In a cableway, the combination with a carriage, and a carrier-line, of a saddle having one side thereof fixed to the carrier-line, said saddle extending upwardly from and across the vertical plane of the carrier-line,

a line-carrier having members hingedly connected with said saddle and disposed on'opposite sides of the carrier-line, means to hold the members of the line-carrier in closed relation, and means for opening the line-car: rier members onthe approach and passage of said carriage.

3. In a cableway, the combination with", a carriage, and a carrier-line, of a saddle provided on one side with inwardly-extending bars which are attached to said carrier-line, a two-part line-carrier having its members connected to the side portions of said saddle to be supported thereby on opposite sides of the carrier-line and in the path of said carriage, means for holding said members of the line-carrier in closed relation, and an operating device movable with the carriage for opening the members of said line-carrier.

4:. In a cableway, the combination with a carriage, and a carrier-line, of a line-carrier mounted in a fixed position on said carrierline and having members which are provided with roller-shoes at points intermediate the height thereof, a pair of plates attached to the carriage below the carrier-line and having inclined end portions and parallel intermediate portions, said plates being movable with the carriage to engage with the rollershoes, whereby the line-carrier is opened on the approach of the carriage and kept in an open position during the passage of said carriage.

5. In a cableway, the combination of a carriage having a throat or space in one side thereof, and a carrier-line, of a saddle straddling said carrier-line and provided on one side with inwardly-extending arms which are fixed to said carrier-line, a line-carrier having members pivoted to the respective side portions of said saddle, a tension device for normally holding said members of the linecarrier in closed relation, sheaves mounted in the closed ends of the line-carrier members, and means movable with the carriage for opening said line-carrier; said throat or space of the carriage being so disposed as to permit the arms of the saddle to pass the carriage on the traversing movement thereof.

6. In a cableway, the combination with a carriage, and a carrier-line, of a saddle fixed to said carrierline, a line-carrier having memter on the traversing movement of said carriage.

8. In a cableway, the combination of a carriage having a throat or space in one side thereof, a carrier-line, a saddle attached to said carrier-line by means adapted to pass through the throat or space of the carriage, and a line-carrier supported by the saddle in the path of the carriage and adapted to be opened thereby.

H. In a cableway, the combination of a saddle arranged to straddle a carrier-line and to be fixed thereto, line-carriers pivoted at points intermediate of their length to the respective sides of said saddle, a tension device engaging the members above their pivots and normally closing the lower end of the line-carrier, and sheaves supported by the carrier members at the lower closed ends thereof.

10. In a cableway, the combination with a carrier-line, of clamps fixed in spaced relation to said line, a saddle having one side thereof provided with inwardly-extending arms which are fastened to said clamps, a line-carrier having members supported by the respective sides of said saddle, and a carriage having a throat or space in one side and arranged to pass by the saddle-arms and between the members of the carrier-line.

11. In a cableway, the combination with a carrier-line, of a clamp provided with spreaders and with a series of bolts adapted to firmly secure the clamp to said line, a saddle attached by said clamp to the carrier-line, and a linecarrier supported by the clamp.

12. In a cableway, the combination with a carrier-line, of a saddle extending across the plane of said line, means for fastening a side portion of said saddle to the carrier-line, a two-part line-carrier having its members supported individually by the saddle, means for closing the line-carrier, and a carriage having means for opening the line-carrier.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BENJAMIN HURT IIARDAWAY.

Witnesses:

W. G. COTTON, HOWELL HoLLIs. 

